The Green Cap by Abbie Farwell Brown
In a time of drought and famine, a poor old woman living alone in a hut finds that she has only one dipper of water, one handful of rice, and one drop of tea left. Though she fears she will soon die of hunger and thirst, she admits a shivering little monkey wearing a green cap when it knocks at her door. She dislikes monkeys, yet compassion moves her to share half of her last meal with the creature and to let it sleep in her hut. The next morning, the monkey has cleaned the cottage and prepared breakfast. The well again holds a dipper of water, the rice bucket contains enough rice, and the teapot yields a drop of tea. The old woman and the monkey share the meal. The monkey helps with the housework and later returns from the forest carrying firewood. Each day and night, their small stores are renewed only enough to provide one simple meal for the two of them. As the monkey faithfully serves and accompanies her, the old woman grows fond of it and ceases to see it as ugly. After a year and a day, the monkey changes into a lovely girl wearing the green dress the old woman made and the same green cap. The girl explains that she is a Fairy who was punished for naughtiness by being made to live in a monkey-shape for a year and a day. Because the old woman sheltered and fed her despite her own poverty, the Fairy may grant her one of three wishes: endless princely food, restored youth and strength, or the continuance of their humble life together, with the Fairy becoming the old woman’s human child. The old woman chooses neither feasts nor youth. She asks only that the girl remain with her, believing their little well, rice bucket, and teapot provide enough when shared, even leaving something for a poor stranger. The Fairy gladly gives up Fairyland, throws her green cap into the fire, and becomes the old woman’s daughter. They sit down together to their simple breakfast, rejoicing in their love and companionship.
By Abbie Farwell Brown · First published 1904 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Children's Literature, Moral Tale · 4,035 words
First lines
Once upon a time in the far East, where people live upon rice and tea, a little old woman dwelt all alone in a tiny hut on the edge of the forest. The little old woman was very, very poor; but she was a brave soul, and so long as there was a little tea in her little teapot, a little rice in her little rice bucket, and a little water in her well she would smile a little smile and say, "Oh, I have enough, and that is all which any one needs in this world. I am doing very well indeed."
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story uses magical transformations, a fairy punishment, an enchanted green cap, a wish granted by the Fairy Queen, and a moral resolution typical of traditional fairy tales.
- Children's Literature — Its simple repetitive language, clear moral instruction, fantastical plot, animal-like magical visitor, and reassuring happy ending are strongly suited to young readers.
- Moral Tale — The narrative explicitly rewards generosity, hospitality, gratitude, contentment, and choosing loving companionship over wealth, luxury, or restored youth.
- Fantasy — A monkey transforms into a fairy and then a human girl, while water, rice, and tea are supernaturally replenished throughout the story.
Tags
fairy tale · children's literature · East Asian-inspired setting · drought and famine · poverty · old woman protagonist · monkey companion · fairy transformation · enchanted green cap · hospitality to strangers · charity · compassion
What this Textopian page supports
The Green Cap is listed on Textopian as a short story by Abbie Farwell Brown, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Abbie Farwell Brown
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Children's Literature, Moral Tale, Fantasy, Folklore
- Length: 4,035 words
- Structure: 1 section, 66 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Green Cap by Abbie Farwell Brown
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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